So apparently we are remodeling part of our kitchen. We have been having problems with our freezer for over a year now. Usually we just thaw it out, and it is good for another 6 months. But this time it started leaking again after just a few days. Our builder put in a built-in fridge, which is extra wide. So we can’t just replace it. Luckily it is on the shorter wall of our kitchen, so it doesn’t affect the entire kitchen. But it still means way more work, time, and money than just getting a new fridge. I am excited and annoyed all at the same time!

Bacon Cheese Straws – A great appetizer for any get together. Fill puff pastry with bacon and cheese, twist, and bake until you get crispy, cheesy, bacony goodness!

I love trying out new cookbooks. I remember even as a kid always thumbing through my moms cooking magazines and books. She subscribed to quite a few different monthly magazines that would come, and each month I would go through and tell her which ones she should make. It isn’t that much of a surprise that I am writing this blog, all about trying new recipes. Recently I was sent Back Around the Table: An “In the Kitchen with David” Cookbook. David Venable is the host of QVC’s popular cooking and dining show “In the Kitchen with David®. [Read more…]

I am actually in Ohio right now. I am in Wooster visiting with Certified Angus Beef. I get to spend today and tomorrow cooking beef with professional chefs. You have no idea how excited I am about this. I am hoping that I learn a ton (because honestly my beef knowledge is pretty limited), and that you will see more beef recipes here in the future. Plus on Sunday, I get to hang out with one of my good friends Katrina. You may know her from In Katrina’s Kitchen and her new Biscoff cookbook coming out soon. Be ready, because as soon as I get my hands on her book I am sure I will go Biscoff crazy!

I am wearing jeans today, and I am loving it! Fall is in the air, and it is only a matter of time before pumpkin and apple recipes will be all that you see. But, we still have a major summer holiday to celebrate. That means grilling, outdoors, pool parties, and summer food is still in order. Do you have fun plans for this Labor Day weekend? We are going on a big 10 mile hike on Saturday to the top of two different mountains. Then on Sunday friends from Iowa are visiting. As for Monday, I am hoping we can get in a long bike ride. Perfect way to end the summer, in my opinion!

We are in the last few days of August. Hard to believe how fast the summer flew by. This weekend my husband and I celebrate 13 years of marriage. We actually have a friend who is going to watch our 9 year old so we can go out! Not sure what we are doing yet, but I am excited for a night out, it seems like it has been FOREVER! This weekend we also have friends from Iowa that will be in town. It has been over a year since we have seen them, so I am super excited for their visit. Hopefully the weather stays nice, so we can enjoy lots of time outside.

Apparently summer days are hard when you are 9 years old. You have all this stuff in your head that you want to do, but within a couple hours of waking up you are bored. Mom suggests a bunch of stuff that you could do, but none of it interests you so you sulk around. Then after awhile, Mom gets fed up, and you get in trouble. Rough life! We actually have a system worked out for the summer. In the mornings I get work done, while my 9 year old has a few jobs he needs to get done. Then we get to have fun and play in the afternoon. Either go to the neighborhood pool, play with friends, go for a bike ride, go to a movie, or anything else we can think of. But I guess the jobs are getting old, and my 9 year old just want to be entertained all day, every day. So…. is it time for school yet?

Hot dogs are kind of a staple at most American barbeques in the summer. Often times there are choices between hot dogs, hamburgers, and brats. At least in Wisconsin brats are always on the menu. I love a good hot dog in the summer, topped with ketchup and raw onions….perfection! Especially if you are at a sporting event, then it is kind of a must! That and a beer. Well today, I am kind of upping the anti when it comes to hot dogs. These aren’t your average backyard barbeque hot dog, but they definitely should make an appearance at your next event!

I am usually the one in the family that manages to hurt myself. I run into the coffee table that has always been there, I trip over things, stumble down the steps etc. I am known to be rather clumsy. Well, for once I am not the one to hurt myself. My husband went on a work outing the other day, where they went hiking up in the Poudre Canyon. I think it was about 6 1/2 mile hike, and with about 3 miles to go, he rolled his ankle. There was no choice, he was in the middle of no where on a trail, 3 miles from the road, he had to continue. Needless to say, by the time he made it home (after the team went out to lunch and he went to work for an hour) his ankle was very swollen and painful. After lots of ice and ibuprofen he is starting to get better. But it will be a little while before he is back to hiking and biking like he wants to be.

I posted this recipe way back in the early days of blogging. The original pictures were not pretty and did not do the dip justice. I recently re-made the dip, so I figured why not update the post! Hopefully this time around a few more people will see this, and be able to get in on the deliciousness!

As I type this, I am sitting with my feet propped up. We had a family football game on Thanksgiving, and it didn’t end well for me. My brother and I got our feet tangled up, and he ended up stepping on my foot pretty bad. We took a trip to urgent care the next morning to find out it wasn’t broken, but with orders to rest, not put weight on it, and ice it. So I have been on crutches for a couple days. Today was the first day I hobbled around without them! Really not sure what this is going to mean for my running, but I am not thrilled

So, on to the food! My husband was watching football, and saw a commercial for a Baja Chicken Sandwich from Quiznos, and asked if I could make that at home. After checking out their menu, this is what I came up with. I have no idea if it is even close, but it sure is good. I made a chipotle mayo, and a southwestern style barbeque sauce for this sandwich. Add chicken, bacon and cheddar cheese, and you are done. Comes together very quickly, so it is great for a quick weeknight meal.

My husband was very happy with how this turned out. I skipped the chipotle mayo for my 7 year old, due to the heat. I was a little nervous about him eating it, but he loved it. Once he saw the bacon, I am not sure he cared too much about what else was there. I love having sandwich night for dinner, and this is great because you can customize them for everyone without extra work. Someone doesn’t like mayo, leave it off that one. Husband likes extra cheese, just add more. Plus, this would be great for leftover chicken (or even turkey).

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